Cherokee Nation chief outlines $750,000 fitness subsidy, community organizing task force and health partnerships

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered the Cherokee Nation’s State of the Nation address at the tribal council’s February meeting, announcing a one-year, $750,000 commitment from the Public Health and Wellness Fund to subsidize gym memberships at nonprofit recreation centers and nearby facilities such as YMCAs.

Hoskin said the fitness-partner expansion builds on a pilot at the Prior Recreation Center and will be evaluated after a year to determine whether to extend or broaden the subsidy. “This is an exciting program,” Hoskin said, adding the administration will “evaluate how the program goes with nonprofit gyms for this first year.”

The chief framed the subsidy as part of a wider set of wellness investments. He noted the upcoming opening of the Carson Wellness Center in Stillwell, an ongoing construction project in Talaquo to replace Marcoma, and described the Salina Health Center as a model for future facilities. He also said the nation opened its 15th senior nutrition site in Stillwell at the former Rowan’s restaurant.

Hoskin said he signed an executive order creating a task force on community organizing to identify barriers faced by volunteer community organizers and to explore ways to strengthen local, grassroots engagement. He also described the Hawia Community and Cultural Outreach food-distribution pilot, which uses products from the nation’s 1839 meat company and has enrolled “more than 20 organizations” so far.

On education and economic development, Hoskin announced a return of agricultural education to Sequoia High School and described a pending partnership with OU and Mercy Health System that he said would represent roughly $8,000,000 in investment to bring cancer treatment services near reservation facilities. He said the nation has been meeting with federal officials to improve disaster response and noted a signed partnership with FEMA aimed at sharpening the nation’s ability to respond to tornadoes and other disasters.

The chief also said he signed an extension to the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act and that he expects the council to approve a related reauthorization on the agenda. He described the program as supporting artists and cultural revitalization and said the extension adds funding to continue classes and purchases of artwork. “We are there to advocate for the interest of the Cherokee people and the Cherokee Nation,” Hoskin said of the nation’s federal engagement.

Hoskin closed by highlighting recent land acquisitions in Lost City and Keys that he said will allow future investment in housing, community buildings and outdoor recreation in those communities.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article spoke during the State of the Nation agenda item at the tribal council meeting. No formal votes on the fitness subsidy, task-force creation or the FEMA partnership were recorded as part of the chief’s remarks; related legislation and resolutions on the meeting agenda appear in the council’s motions and are summarized separately.